Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-07-21
Social Impurity in India.

1t appears from recently published statistics
that there are seventy-one districts in India
where social impurity is licensed and regu-
lated as business" or "trade" And it is an
interesting fact that in all these districts
Christianity is very weak. Thus in Bombay,
city of 644 .405 inhabitants, only per cent
of the natives are even protesting Christians.
In Benares, where Christian missionaries
have worked so long and faithfully, out of
population of 175, 1873 there are less than $50
of the native citizens counted as Christians.
In Jullunder the Presbyterians of the country
have built fine school, and have done faith
full missionary work. And yet there are only
seventy-seven Christians in Jullunder, out Of
a population of 5O,067. Peshawur has popu-
lation of IS, ,555, Of whom only seventeen are
Christians.
%These figures" says The Christian Com
monwealtb, describe the condition of things
in seats of uncleanliness. Is it not obvious
that what was too foul and hellish for per-
petuation in England is destructive of all the
moral edifce which we have been seeking to
build up in British India? We seek to purge
India OF its idolatry with wonderful success
in many districts. But in others the Chris
tan government is surrounding our missiona-
ries with sinks of bestial sensuality, and their
civil officers and military men on furlough or
retirement come home and sneer at the results
of mission work in the presidencies of Hind
ostan. New York Tribune.
The Diversions of SweIIdom.
1t is getting to be diversion with our
swells to visit the Bowery variety theaters. [
am fond OF the variety theater myself. There
is always some good acting of its kind to be
seen there, and even when the acting is not
over tne, or the fun over refined it is amus-
ing. so drop In for an idle hour once in a
while and see an act or two, watch clog
dance and listen to a banjo SOLO And have
noticed lately that some faces not unfamiliar
to me on the avenue shed the light of their
patronage on the playhouse of the proletarrau.
L can remember some years ago when it was
the fad with the riskier young women of
upper tendon to put on their thickest wells
and have themselves escorted to certain re-
sorts on Sixth avenue, not unknown to the
police. The variety theater is rather mild
excitement after this, and is not likely to
bring about such scene as once shared in at
the Empire Garden, when certain lively
broker of my acquaintance discovered his
wife and his sister with a couple of frienh
and Columbia college brother for escort.
taking in the revels of the night.
But when beauty and fashion lend their
countenance to the dog fight and cock pit,
there is no philosophy in being astonisbed at
any minor eccentricity they may indulge in.
Several times during the winter lust passed a
young churchman, whom l know and who
has fancy for sporting dogs and fowl. has
entertained his friends, male and female with
the diversions of the fancy He owns hand.
some place in the upper part Of the town,
whose situation is quite isolated enough to
hold it from interference from the police.
The arrangement of his cellar as a field for
the belllcose exercises of his pets and the ac-
commodation of his guests is quite ingenious
have never taken advantage Of his invita-
tons to participate in these festivals have
no fancy for the sport. But know that he
mas mad full houses several times since last
Christmas and that the guests who enioved
his hospitality would be very much en-
barassed so see their names in print.-Alfred
Trumble in New York News